Author: cassiebarnard

I think the term ‘global village’ is used to express how connected the world as become with each other. The growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web has enabled people to connect with others on the other side of the world with a simple click of a button. The ability to connect with others enables us to be a village-like community across the globe, hence the term ‘global village’.

The 90 minute docudrama explores different issues regarding violence and adult content seen in video games. It expresses that the effect of 18+ rated video games are relevant today, despite being based on the GTA games released years ago. In this sense, the short film is valuable as it spreads light on the on-going issue of video game content, and allows viewers to be reminded of previous events, such as the Devin Moore case which is mentioned.

However, in my opinion, the Gamechangers was not very engaging and lost its excitement as it progressed. As many have said, Daniel Radcliffe will forever been seen as Harry Potter, not matter how big of a beard he grows.

Most media that is published is in some way contorted in a way to reflect the view of the person who wrote the media text, no matter how much they try to deny it. This leads to the question ‘Can we trust the Media?’

On the bright side, we can. News outlets desperately try to obtain the latest news stories through any way they can; they send countless of journalists and reporters to the same scene, equipped with microphones and cameras. The media can be trusted as they often report the truth; in recent events, the news has largely been accurate in reporting the terrorist attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait. For example, both Sky News and the Telegraph [1&2] explain that ’30’ people have been confirmed as British victims of the attack. Continue reading “Can we trust the Media?”→

Science fiction films have increased in popularity over the years. By looking at 3 different films which have been categorised as ‘sci-fi’, we can draw out common themes that they share.
To begin with, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, or simply referred to as ‘E.T.’, was released in 1982, and is considered to be one of the most popular sci-fi films, along with The Star Wars series and The Space Odyssey movie. It featured a lonely boy named Elliot and a lost space alien called E.T. Together, they attempt to get E.T. back to his home planet, battling against government agents and illness together. This shows that there is a binary opposition between good and bad – between Elliot, E.T. and friends and government agents. Featured in the film are several high tech equipment and devices. For example, the medical facility in which Elliot and E.T. are quarantined uses advance technology and the device created and used by E.T. to communicate with his mother ship is advanced. Also, the UFO that arrives to pick E.T. up, is obviously a high tech machine that features in the film. The film used visual effects to create the UFO and for other scenes, such as when E.T. and Elliot ‘fly’ whilst riding the bike. E.T. gained the title of the highest grossing film of the 1980’s and remains a much loved film to this day.
Avatar, released in 2009, is the highest grossing film of all time. With its ground-breaking visual effects, engaging plot and amazing use of 3D, Avatar received a good reception when it premiered. The film tells the tale of a soldier, Jake Sully, who is unable to walk, and his journey with the Na’vi – the blue creatures. Using advanced technology, Sully is able to take the form of a Na’vi by entering a futuristic looking pod. He soon meets a Na’vi named Neytiri and together, with the help of others, they defend the forest that the humans are trying to destroy. With the help of visual effects, Avatar sets a new bar on how future films should look. It is easy to see why Avatar is the highest grossing film of all time.
Hunger Games has quickly became the next big thing. With sequels coming out soon, The Hunger Games movies have lived up to their expectations so far, catapulting Jennifer Lawrence into the A-list. Lawrence plays the protagonist Katniss Everdeen, who soon gets her live flipped upside when she volunteers for the Hunger Games. Peeta Mellark joins her and the other tributes to fight for their lives. At first Peeta betrays Katniss and works against her, but later, they join forces as they battle to survival. Visual effects are used throughout the movie; to create the arena, to show visuals of the Capitol and to create the beasts that are in the arena. With Catching Fire released and the Mockingjay films soon to follow, the Hunger Games is rising to become a popular franchise.
Looking at all the sci-fi films mentioned above, we can draw common themes and features they all share:
•They all have an extensive use of visual effects.
•Feature two main characters working together to overcome opposition.
•Show a story of the good versus the bad
•And futuristic-like weapons, facilities, etc.